Chapter 1

A year ago, Sera Thorne found out she was nothing but a stand-in for Julian Knight’s long-lost first love.

She turned right around and agreed to date her college classmate.

They spent the night together, and the very next day, he dragged her home to meet his parents.

“Dad, this is my girlfriend now, my future wife, Sera Thorne!”

I played coy, head bowed, but my face was twisted into a knot of disgust.

That’s when I realized he was Julian Knight’s adopted son.

Julian’s voice was a low growl, laced with a danger I almost missed:

“Sera… Thorne?”

I feigned a stomach ache, then scrambled over the wall and vanished.

I’d spent a year abroad, even had some subtle work done on my face, before I dared to come back.

But I never expected that soon after landing, I’d be bound to Julian Knight’s bed, and then, inexplicably, married to his adopted son.

Our reunion was shockingly dramatic.

Right after returning home, I’d just landed a new job. My manager, without a word, pushed me into the penthouse suite on the top floor:

“I had no choice. This… important person, somehow ended up here, drugged with something powerful.”

“If this isn’t handled properly, I’m finished, you won’t get paid, and your mother’s medical bills won’t be covered.”

The moment Julian’s eyes locked onto mine, I knew he recognized me.

His gaze was deep, authoritative, even without a trace of anger.

He didn’t look sedated at all. Instead, he gripped my throat.

“You dared to come back?” Julian’s hand clamped over my mouth. He spoke, mostly to himself, a low, furious murmur, “And you dared to use these pathetic tricks?”

That was the first time Julian had ever touched me. A night of pure madness.

A year ago, I’d yearned for him, and now, it was happening in the most twisted way possible.

Daylight poured in from outside. I cautiously rose.

The next second, my wrist was seized brutally.

He stared at me, his eyes burning with a raw, terrifying crimson.

He really must hate me, right?

But I never expected Julian to drag me straight to the registrar’s office.

I knew something was wrong.

Yet, as I was pushed into the marriage registration booth, my lips curved into an uncontrollable smile.

I had to admit, a secret thrill pulsed through me.

A year had passed, and I had never forgotten Julian, the first man I’d ever loved.

Julian had saved me once, in a bar.

Learning about my past, he’d waved a hand and sent me back to college.

On my birthday, fireworks exploded across the sky, just for me. He’d said:

“Sera, I wish you a smooth and easy life from now on.”

On Valentine’s Day, acres of flowers bloomed, just for me. He’d said:

“Sera, these are Eustoma, also known as thornless roses, symbolizing eternal love.”

Could it be that after a year apart, Julian realized *I* was his true love, and he’d forgiven me?

If that were the case, I could forgive him for treating me as a substitute…

But the fleeting fantasy that had just bloomed was brutally ripped apart by Julian himself.

“You didn’t actually think I was marrying *you*, did you?”

He gripped my chin, his eyes blazing with pure hatred:

“You like throwing yourself at men, don’t you? You’re so desperate to get into the Knight estate?”

A cold sneer twisted his lips. “I’ll grant your wish.”

The words had barely left his mouth when a group of men in dark suits stormed through the door.

One of them pushed a wheelchair forward, and my eyes widened in shock.

Sitting in the wheelchair was Leo Sterling!

The once vibrant, carefree college student.

Now, his eyes were vacant, and a drool-stained bib was tied around his neck.

Julian’s voice drifted from behind me, laced with infinite coldness:

“A year ago, he got into an accident looking for you, and he became like this.”

My knees buckled, sending me straight to the floor.

Just before I hit the ground, Julian grabbed my throat, yanking me into his arms.

There was no tenderness for his adopted son, only a mocking, humiliating laugh for both of us. “You should take responsibility, shouldn’t you?”

I closed my eyes.

Julian knew this was my sign of impatience, my urge to resist. He scoffed:

“You can try to say no, but the hospital where your mother is being treated? I just bought it.”

My eyes snapped open, pupils constricting in horror.

“I’ll marry him.”

I tried to comfort myself: there’s no hate without love. Julian was retaliating like this because he cared.

But I wasn’t the type to sit back and let things happen. I wouldn’t be pushed around.

In between taking our wedding photos, I sent a message to an international number:

“I accept all your conditions. Help me one more time.”

A voice message quickly came back.

Deep and magnetic: “I’ll handle everything. I’ll pick you up in five days.”